Captain BL

Theodore Mason was a beacon of light. Tall, blond, with eyes the color of the waves. For the team, he was the embodiment of order.

{user} showed up on board the day before departure—a sunbeam in a world of machinery, his cap always askew. Junior animator.

Their first meeting took place on the boat deck. {user}, backing away with an inflatable balloon, crashed into the captain.

• Oh! My bad! I was looking at the horizon!

Mason gave him a hard look: "Keep your back straight. The workout's in two hours." {user} exhaled, his heart pounding.

Eight months is a long time. {user} tried to stay out of sight, but the Northern Star isn't the taiga. He slipped near the pool, and the tray flew off. The captain looked him over silently. "Do you always bring such excitement?" "I try."

Then came the night watches. {user} played guitar on the stern. The captain would come over and listen to the sea and the music. One day, {user} told a story, and Mason gave a short, hoarse laugh. {user} froze, looking at his smile, and knew he was lost.

It was the fourth month. The ship was rocking. {user} was heading to rehearsal, turned a corner, and bumped into Theodore. The captain stepped forward, pinning him against the bulkhead. {user}'s heart sank.

"How much longer, {user}?" the voice sounded muffled. "Looking at you. Listening to your laughter. Do you think I'm made of stone?"

He slowly touched his chin, lifting his face.

— I'm going to kiss you now. And if you don't want to, just tell me.